Gaming machine

ABSTRACT

The gaming machine comprises: a lottery wheel having plural lottery holes that lottery balls can enter; a game content determination device that, as the lottery balls enter any of the plural lottery holes, determines a game result based on the any of the plural lottery holes that the lottery balls have entered; a discharge path that is provided below the lottery wheel and that discharges the lottery balls entering, one each, the plural lottery holes; a lifting device that conveys the lottery balls to a position higher than the lottery wheel; and a collection path that guides the lottery balls discharged from the discharge path to a conveyance start position of the lifting device, wherein the collection path includes a ball delivery device for delivering the lottery balls being collected, toward the conveyance start position of the lifting device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is based upon and claims a priority from prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-435133 filed on Dec. 26, 2003, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. This application is related to co-pending U.S. applications claiming priorities for JP-2003-435134 to file on the even date with this application, U.S. applications claiming priorities for JP-2003-316020, and JP-2003-316021, filed on Sep. 8, 2004, International Application No. PCT/JP/03/11439, PCT/JP/03/11440, and PCT/JP/03/11441, filed on Sep. 8, 2003 in Japan. The co-pending applications are expressly incorporated herein by reference

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a gaming machine, and more specifically, it relates to a gaming machine determining a result of a game based on a fact that a lottery ball enters to a lottery hole in the lottery wheel

2. Description of the Related Art

Hitherto, a bingo game is played by using a bingo card having squares aligned in a matrix form. In this case, different indicias are assigned to the squares, and the square corresponding to the indicia won by a lottery is punched. The player can win by punching squares aligned in one vertical, horizontal or diagonal line.

While a bingo card made of paper is generally used in a bingo game, various electronically controlled gaming machines (see JP-A-2001-161888, for example) imitating the game have been developed. Such a gaming machine displays a bingo card on a display device thereof, and, when an indicia won by a lottery exists on the bingo card, the box is activated to display so that the activated box can be distinguished from the other boxes. Generally, a lottery wheel has a plurality of lottery holes having indicia, and, when a lottery ball stops at one of the lottery holes, a square corresponding to the indicia where the lottery ball stops is activated. The gaming machine is often placed in a game arcade since many players can participate therein.

Besides, generally, such a gaming machine can be roughly divided into two types: a gaming machine (so-called lottery ball drawing type) configured such that a lottery ball is drawn from a plurality of lottery balls assigned with indicias, thereby activating a box corresponding to the indicia of the lottery ball drawn; and a gaming machine (so-called roulette wheel type) configured such, as in JP-A-2001-161888, that plural lottery holes assigned with indicias are provided on the outer peripheral side of a lottery wheel, and that when a lottery ball stops in any one of the plural lottery holes, a box corresponding to the indicia at which the lottery ball has stopped is activated. Furthermore, in such a gaming machine, to break down a simple gaming property of the bingo game, it has been desired that a large number of indicias are used to thereby increase interest. However, in the aforesaid gaming machine of lottery ball drawing type, it is difficult for players to find their desired lottery balls from a large number of lottery balls, which is likely to reduce amusingness peculiar to the bingo game. Thus, this type of gaming machine is not particularly suitable for the configuration of using a large number of indicias. On the contrary, in the gaming machine of roulette wheel type, since a large number of lottery holes are provided therein, it may be considered to increase the size of the lottery wheel. From the viewpoint of installation space in a gaming hall or the like, however, it is not desirable to increase the size of the lottery wheel.

Thereupon, to provide a larger number of lottery holes on the lottery wheel from the viewpoint of space for providing the lottery holes therein, easy visibility from the players, or like condition, there has been developed a gaming machine including a lottery wheel that is provided with the plural lottery holes not only on the outer peripheral side but along a plurality of kinds of circumferences, thus making an attempt to increase interest in the bingo games

However, the aforesaid gaming machine has a limitation in downsizing because of the provision of a large number of lottery holes, the viewability of a lottery event attended by a large number of people at one time, etc. Unlike a personal one, in a gaming machine having a certain scale, after one game (lottery) ends, it takes time from when the lottery balls are collected from the lottery holes until a preparation for the nest game is completed, which is likely to make the players feel bored.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide a gaming machine provided with plural lottery holes, the gaming machine making a smooth preparation, reducing feeling of boredom given to the players, and providing amusingness

More specifically, the invention provides the following gaming machine.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a gaming machine including: a lottery wheel having a plurality of lottery holes that accept balls thereinto; a game content determination device that, as the lottery balls enter any of the plural lottery holes, determines a game result based on the any plural lottery holes that has accepted the balls; a discharge path that is provided below the lottery wheel and that discharges the lottery balls accepted in each of the plurality of lottery holes; a lifting device that conveys the lottery balls to a position higher than the lottery wheel; and a collection path that guides the lottery balls discharged from the discharge path, to a conveyance start position of the lifting devices wherein the collection path includes a ball delivery device for delivering the lottery balls being collected, toward the conveyance start position of the lifting device.

According to first aspect of the invention, in the gaming machine that determines the game result based on the entrance of the lottery balls into the lottery holes, the ball delivery device disposed in the collection path for guiding the lottery balls of the lottery holes to the conveyance start position of the lifting device. Consequently, the lottery balls move at a high speed through the collection path, so that the lottery balls can be collected in a shorter time. Besides, even when there is an obstacle such as a minute convex or concave and a speck of dust, the lottery balls can be restrained from getting stuck there, so that the next game can be started smoothly. Furthermore, the ball delivery device delivers the lottery balls toward the conveyance start position, which can restrain the lottery balls from returning to the discharge path side.

According to the invention, in the gaming machine that determines the game result based on the entrance of the lottery balls into the lottery holes, the ball delivery device disposed in the collection path for guiding the lottery balls of the lottery holes to the conveyance start position of the lifting device. The lottery balls are thus delivered more positively through the collection path, so that the lottery balls can be collected in a shorter time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more fully apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the outline of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the outline of a lottery machine according to the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a lottery ball receiving portion according to the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the lottery machine according to the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of lottery wheels according to the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a discharge path and a collection path according to the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an open/close shutter according to the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing how the open/close shutter is disposed according to the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the structures of the discharge path, the collection path, and a ball delivery device according to the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view schematically showing how the ball delivery device operates according to the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view schematically showing the ball delivery device according to the embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 12A to 12G are longitudinal sectional views showing the collection path in the vicinity of an open/close gate;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an operation portion of a gaming terminal according to the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a view showing the system structure of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 15 is a view showing the electrical configuration of the lottery machine according to the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 16 is a view showing the electrical configuration of the gaming terminal according to the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 17 is an example of a standby screen of the gaming terminal, displayed on a display screen of the gaming terminal according to the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 18 is an example of a screen of the gaming terminal after game entry, displayed on the display screen of the gaming terminal according to the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 19 is an example of a screen of the gaming terminal during a game, displayed on the display screen of the gaming terminal according to the embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 20A to 20D are examples of a transition of a reach state individual display screen displayed on the display screen of the gaming terminal according to the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 21 is an example of a double-up game screen of the gaming terminal, displayed on the display screen of the gaming terminal according to the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 22 is main flowcharts of processes in main control circuits of the lottery machine and gaming terminal, respectively, according to the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 23 is a flowchart followed by FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a flowchart of a bingo box moving operation inactivation process;

FIG. 25 is a flowchart of a prize winning determination process;

FIG. 26 is a flowchart of a reach determination process;

FIG. 27 is a flowchart of a reach box notification start process; and

FIG. 28 is a flowchart of a game preparation process.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An example of embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to drawings.

While a gaming machine 310 of this embodiment is a gaming machine to be played by using a game medium such as a card storing information on a game value given to or to be given to a player as well as a coin, medal, lottery ball or token, a medal is used in the description below.

Configuration of Gaming Machine

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic appearance of a gaming machine in this embodiment.

The gaming machine 310 includes a lottery machine 312 and a plurality of gaming terminals 314. The gaming machine 310 can simultaneously provide a game to a plurality of players through the plurality of gaming terminals 314A to 314J.

The lottery machine 312 mainly includes a cabinet 313 having a form imitating a ship and is placed at the center of the gaming machine 310. Furthermore, two lottery wheels 338 and 339 are placed at the center of the lottery machine 312. These two lottery wheels 338 and 339 have 52 lottery holes 340 and 341 in total (see FIG. 4). These plural lottery holes 340 and 341 are associated with indicias, which are combinations of first signs including spades, clubs, hearts and diamonds, and second signs including numbers from 2 to 10 and letters A, J, Q and K. The indicia is used for determining a lottery result. In other words, indicias for determining lottery results are associated with the plurality of lottery holes 340 and 341 in the lottery wheels 338 and 339, respectively. A lottery is performed in accordance with one of the plurality of lottery holes 340 and 341 to which a lottery ball enters, and the game result is determined. Two struts 354A and 354B compared to masts of a ship extend upward from the respective centers of the lottery wheels 338 and 339. Metallic horizontal bars 355A to 355H are attached to the struts 354A and 354B, respectively, substantially orthogonally to each other with metallic latches so as to become parts of the masts of the ship, which are decorations of the lottery machine. An rocking device 346 (see FIG. 2) including a motor is placed in the lottery machine 312 so that the cabinet 313 can be rocked to move a stem 312A and a stern 312B vertically. In other words, the rocking device 346 rocks the cabinet 313. Notably, the incline has an angle of about 8 degree vertically with respect to the horizontal plane in this embodiment but is not limited thereto. Furthermore, while the oscillating operation takes about 12 seconds from the state that the stem 312A is positioned above at an angle of about 8 degree with respect to the horizontal plane to the state that the stem 312A is positioned below at an angle of about 8 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane, the time is not limited thereto. Preferably, the oscillating operation takes about 8 seconds to about 16 seconds. More specifically, the cycle of the rocking can be controlled by a main control circuit 400, which will be described later, and may be defined to be adjustable by, for example, a manager of the game arcade. Furthermore, since the ship-shaped cabinet 313 is used, which can be rocked, in this embodiment, a visual effect can be given to players, which can therefore enhance the amusingness.

A plurality of gaming terminals 314A to 314J are placed on both sides of the lottery machine 312. In this embodiment, 10 gaming terminals 314 to 314J are provided. The plurality of gaming terminals 314A to 314J have medal payout ports 382A to 382J. FIG. 1 does not show the gaming terminals 314F to 314H and medal payout ports 382F to 382J, which are hidden by the lottery machine 312.

While, in this embodiment, the ten gaming terminals 314A to 314J are provided as the plurality of gaming terminals, the invention is not limited thereto, but other forms may be adopted. For example, different gaming terminals rather than ten gaming terminals may be provided or one gaming terminal may be provided.

Configuration of Lottery Machine

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a schematic appearance of the lottery machine 312 in this embodiment.

As an example of an lifting device, a screw conveyer 320 is placed in the stern 312B of the lottery machine 312. The screw conveyer 320 is an apparatus for conveying a lottery ball used for a lottery upward with respect to the lottery wheels 338 and 339 through the internal part of the lottery machine 312. While the lottery ball in this embodiment has a diameter of about 60 mm, other forms may be adopted therefor. For example, the lottery ball may have a diameter equal to, larger than or smaller than about 60 mm. Furthermore, the lottery ball is preferably made of a material not allowing infrared ray to pass through or is preferably processed so as not to allow infrared ray to pass through such that the lottery ball can be easily detected by different kinds of sensors such as an optical sensor.

The screw conveyer 320 includes a spiral body 320A, a supporting plate 320B and a lottery ball lifting motor 320C. The spiral body 320A extends upward from a conveyance start position 320D at a predetermined angle of inclination. The supporting plate 320B extends along the spiral body 320A. The lottery ball lifting motor 320C rotates the spiral body 320A. The spiral body 320A has a helical groove having a radius of curvature larger than a radius of the lottery ball. Driving the lottery ball lifting motor 320C rotates the spiral body 320A, and a lottery ball is conveyed to the upper part with the lottery ball retained between the helical groove in the spiral body 320A and the supporting plate 320B. The screw conveyer 320 conveys the lottery ball 302 to be conveyed in a manner that the lottery ball 302 can be visually checked.

One end of a lottery ball guide portion 324 is provided at the upper end of the screw conveyer 320. The lottery ball guide portion 324 has a guide path (not shown). The lottery ball guide portion 324 guides a lottery ball conveyed by the screw conveyer 320 through the guide path.

Besides, a lottery ball holding portion 332 is disposed in an upper portion of the lottery machine 312. This lottery ball holding portion 332 is formed from a resin having transparency so as to be made visible from the players, etc. Consequently, the remaining number of lottery balls can be clearly shown to the players. This lottery ball holding portion 332 has an upwardly opening shape and holds the lottery balls guided thereto from the lottery ball guide portion 324. Besides, an opening (not shown) for passing one lottery ball therethrough is formed in the bottom surface of the lottery ball holding portion 332.

A rotary body 328 is provided below the lottery ball holding portion 332. The rotary body 328 is cylindrical and is an example of a dropping portion. The rotary body 328 has a function of closing the opening in the bottom surface of the lottery ball holding portion 332. Thus, the state that a lottery ball is held in the lottery ball holding portion 332 can be maintained.

The rotary body 328 has a holding hole (not shown) for holding one lottery ball. A drive portion (not shown) including a rotation motor 326 (see FIG. 15) is provided at the edge of the rotary body 328. Driving the drive portion rotates the rotary body 328. Rotating the rotary body 328 opens the holding hole to the above so that one lottery ball held in the lottery ball holding portion 332 can be dropped to the holding hole through the opening. Furthermore, rotating the rotary body 328 closes the opening in the lottery ball holding portion 332 and holds one lottery ball in the holding hole. Furthermore, rotating the rotary body 328 closes the opening in the lottery ball holding portion 332 and opens the holding hole to the bottom so that one lottery ball held in the holding hole can be dropped downward. Thus, one lottery ball held in the lottery ball holding portion 332 can be extracted and dropped downward. In other words, the rotary body 328 has a function of dropping a lottery ball having been conveyed by the screw conveyer 320 from the upper part to plane portions 338A and 339A. The rotary body 328 is made of a transparent resin such that a lottery ball held in the holding hole can be visually checked by players. Thus, the developments of a game can be clearly shown to players.

A transparent lottery ball receiving portion 334 is provided below the rotary body 328. The lottery ball receiving portion 334 receives a lottery ball dropped from the holding hole of the rotary body thereabove. Thus, a lottery ball having been dropped from the holding hole of the rotary body 328 is held in the lottery ball receiving portion 334 with the lottery ball visually checkable by players. The lottery ball receiving portion 334 has notches 334C and 334D (see FIG. 4) through which a received lottery ball can be dropped to one of the lottery wheels 338 and 339. Since the lottery machine 312 has a function of oscillating, a lottery ball held in the lottery ball receiving portion 334 is guided to one of the two lottery wheels 338 and 339 in accordance with the angle of inclination thereof.

Slopes 336A and 336B having input paths allowing lottery balls to pass through are provided to the notches 334C and 334D (see FIG. 3) of the lottery ball receiving portion 334. These slopes 336A and 336B are used for dropping a lottery ball held in the lottery ball receiving portion 334 to one of the lottery wheels 338 and 339. The slopes 336A and 336B are made of a transparent resin. Thus, lottery balls passing through the slopes 336A and 336B can be visually checked by players. In this way, the above-described screw conveyer 320, rotary body 328, slopes 336A and 336B and so on can drop lottery balls having been discharged from the plurality of lottery holes 340 and 341 to the lottery wheels 338 and 339 through a collection path 350 as described later.

The two lottery wheels 338 and 339 are placed at the lower ends of the slopes 336A and 336B. These lottery wheels 338 and 339 have plane portions 338A and 339A, respectively, having surfaces horizontal to the cabinet 313. Lottery balls can roll on the plane portions 338A and 339A. In other words, the lottery wheels 338 and 339 have plane portions 338A and 339A, respectively, on which lottery balls can roll and have the plurality of lottery holes 340 and 341 in the upper surface of the plane portions 338A and 339A. Furthermore, these two lottery wheels 338 and 339 can rotate horizontally with respect to the upper surfaces of the plane portions 338A and 339A.

The upper surfaces of these plane portions 338A and 339A have the plurality of lottery holes 340 and 341 each for holding one lottery ball. These plural lottery holes 340 and 341 are deep enough for one lottery ball to project about 2/5. Thus, lottery balls having entered to these plural lottery holes 340 and 341 are held in a manner that players can visually check the lottery balls. Furthermore, subsequently dropped lottery balls come into collision with the lottery balls held in the plurality of lottery holes 340 and 341 and change the direction of rolling. As described later, the lottery balls having entered to the lottery holes 340 and 341 move in response to rotations of lottery wheels 338 and 339 with the lottery balls held in the lottery holes 340 and 341 until the end of one game.

Open/close shutters 344 (344A and 344S) are provided below the lottery wheels 338 and 339 at positions through which the lottery holes 340 and 341 pass in response to the rotation of the lottery wheels 338 and 339. While a game is being played, the open/close shutter s 344A and 344B are controlled to close, and the lottery wheels 338 and 339 hold lottery balls in the lottery holes 340 and 341. After the game ends, the open/close shutters 344A and 344B are controlled to open, and the lottery balls in the plurality of lottery holes 340 and 341 are discharged through an discharge path 347A and 337B.

As shown in FIG. 8, ball entrance detection sensors 349 (ball entrance detection sensors 349A and 349B in FIG. 7) are provided in the lottery holes 340 and 341. Each of the ball entrance detection sensors 349 detects that a lottery ball enters to one of the plurality of lottery holes. On the condition that a lottery ball enters to one of the plurality of lottery holes 340 and 341 in the lottery wheels 338 and 339, indicia is selected in accordance with the lottery hole to which the lottery ball has entered, and a game result thereof is determined based on the selected indicia. In other words, on the condition that a lottery ball has entered to one of the plurality of lottery holes 340 and 341, the game result is determined based on the indicia associated with one of the plurality of lottery holes 340 and 341 to which the lottery ball has entered. While, in this embodiment, one ball entrance detection sensor 349 is provided in each of the plurality of lottery holes 340 and 341, other forms may be adopted. For example, a plurality of ball entrance detection sensors may be provided for each of plural lottery holes such that the fact that a lottery ball has entered thereto can be immediately detected. Furthermore, in order to reduce works in a producing process therefor and to reduce costs, an ball entrance detection sensor may not be provided in each of the plurality of lottery holes. In other words, two ball entrance detection sensors may be used to detect that lottery balls have entered to plural lottery holes. For example, a fixed sensor may be provided below a lottery wheel so that a lottery hole to which a lottery ball has entered can be located based on a rotating position of the lottery wheel when the lottery wheel rotates and the sensor detects that the lottery ball passes.

The discharge paths 347A and 347B extending downward from the positions of the open/close shutters 344A and 344B are provided below the lottery wheels 338 and 339. When the lottery wheels 338 and 339 rotate with the open/close shutters 344A and 344B closed, the discharge paths 347A and 347B guide the lottery balls falling one after another from the lottery holes 340 and 341 and discharge them downward.

The collection path 350 is provided below the discharge paths 347A and 347B. The lottery balls discharged from the discharge paths 347A and 347B fall further and enter the collection path 350. The collection path 350 continues to the conveyance start position of the lifting device, and the lottery balls roll inside the collection path 350 while being guided toward the conveyance start position. Here, ball delivery devices 354A and 354B for delivering the lottery balls toward the conveyance start position are disposed at the positions of the collection path 350 opposite the discharge paths. The ball delivery devices 354A and 354B cause the lottery balls to move at a high speed through the collection path. This shortens the time required to collect the lottery balls. Besides, even when the collection path 350 has an obstacle such as a minute convex or concave and a speck of dust, the lottery balls can be prevented from getting stuck there. Furthermore, the lottery balls are delivered by the ball delivery devices 354A and 354B toward the conveyance start position, which therefore reduces the frequency in which the lottery balls return to the discharge path side.

An open/close gate 352 is disposed in the collection path 350. This open/close gate 352 is controlled so as to be freely openable and closeable. Consequently, when the open/close gate 352 comes into an open state, it provides the state where the lottery balls can pass between the collection path 350 and the conveyance start position 320D located at the lower end of the spiral body 320A. On the contrary, when the open/close gate 352 comes into a closed state, it provides the state where the lottery balls cannot pass between the collection path 350 and the lower end of the spiral body 320A. Thus, the lottery machine 312 is rocked so that the stern 312B side becomes lower than the stem 312A side, and the open/close gate 352 is controlled into the open state. Thereby, the lottery balls held in the collection path 350 are led out to the lower end of the spiral body 320A. Besides, the open/close gate 352 is controlled into the closed state, thereby preventing the lottery balls led out to the lower end of the spiral body 320A from returning to the collection path 350, and furthermore preventing the lottery balls held in the collection path 350 from being led out to the lower end of the spiral body 320A.

A lottery ball passing detection sensor 351 is disposed between the open/close gate 352 and the lower end of the spiral body 320A. This lottery ball passing detection sensor 351 is intended for detecting the number of lottery balls led out to the lower end of the spiral body 320A from the collection path 350 via the open/close gate 352. Accordingly, the lottery machine 312 is inclined so that the stern 312B side becomes lower than the stem 312A side, and the open/close gate 352 is controlled into the open state. Thereby, when the number of lottery balls that have passed through the open/close gate 352 reaches a predetermined number, the open/close gate 352 is controlled into the closed states so that the predetermined number of lottery balls are led out to the lower end of the spiral body 320A. Besides, after the predetermined number of lottery balls are led out to the lower end of the spiral body 320A, these lottery balls do not return to the collection path 350.

Besides, the lottery machine 312, provided with the rocking device 346, is rockable and inclinable about a rocking shaft 348.

A dot LED display device 327 is provided above the lottery ball holding portion 332. The dot LED display device 327 includes a plurality of LEDs. The dot LED display device 327 displays a round number in a game. A START lamp 329 is provided at the center of the lottery machine 312. The START lamp 329 contains a lamp lighting up when a lottery ball drops down from the holding hole of the rotary body 328 to the lottery ball receiving portion 334. In response to the lighting-up of the contained lamp, the word, START, is displayed so that players can visually check it. Furthermore, the gaming machine 310 includes a plurality of illumination apparatus (not shown) so that the ship-shaped lottery machine 312 can be lighted up in various colors and various effects can be given in response to rocking operations.

Lottery Ball Receiving Portion

FIG. 3 is a top view showing the lottery receiving portion 334 and slopes 336A and 336B. The lottery ball receiving portion 334 has a recessed portion 334A. The recessed portion 334A receives lottery balls dropping from the holding holes of the rotary body 328. A side 334B of the lottery ball receiving portion 334 has two notches 334C and 334D. Thus, the lottery ball received by the recessed portion 334A rolls from one of the two notches 334C and 334D to the outside of the recessed portion 334A in response to the rocking of the lottery machine 312.

The upper ends of the slopes 336A and 336B are connected to these notches 334C and 334D. Furthermore, the lower ends of the slopes 336A and 336B are placed above the lottery wheels 338 and 339, respectively, as described above. Thus, these slopes 336A and 336B receive lottery balls rolled from the notches 334C and 334D of the above-described lottery ball receiving portion 334 to the outside of the lottery ball receiving portion 334 and are then guided to one of the lottery wheels 338 and 339. Each of these slopes 336A and 336B is placed such that lottery balls can be dropped in the same direction as the direction of rotation of each of the lottery wheels 338 and 339. While, in this embodiment, the slope 336A and 336 have a straight form, they do not have to have a straight form but may have a curve, for example.

Lottery Wheels

FIG. 4 is a top view showing the lottery machine 312 and lottery wheels 338 and 339. Since the lottery wheel 339 has a similar configuration to that of the lottery wheel 338, the description will be omitted herein. As shown in FIG. 9, the lottery machine 312 includes the two lottery wheels 338 and 339 as described above. Since the two lottery wheels 338 and 339 can have the plurality of lottery holes 340 and 341, the installed space in a place of amusingness can be used more effectively without requiring a wasteful space required for many lottery holes than the space having one lottery wheel, for example. Thus, the lottery wheels can have many lottery holes, which can increase amusingness such as providing a variety of dividends.

Conventionally, for example, 52 lottery balls are required in a gaming machine configured such that a lottery ball is drawn from a plurality of the lottery balls assigned with the indicias, thereby determining the game result based on the indicia of the lottery ball drawn. With such a configuration, it is not easy to let the game go on while making the players distinguish their desired lottery balls from many lottery balls, which results in the omission of the process leading to the result of lottery ball drawing. Thus, it is likely to impair the gaming property providing impatience and expectation which is the spice of a bingo game or the like and thus damp interest in the game. On the contrary, in such a roulette wheel-type gaming machine as that of this embodiment, 52 lottery holes or more are required in order to realize a bingo game using poker. Particularly, when one lottery wheel is used, the lottery wheel increases in size. Consequently, not only is the space of the gaming hall wasted, but the lottery wheel is also difficult to make visible, which is likely to damp interest in the game.

Thereupon, the wasted space for lottery wheel installation can be omitted by using two lottery wheels. Given below is a specific example configured to use one circular lottery wheel and two circular lottery wheels. The total circumference of the two circular lottery wheels used is made equal to that of the one circular lottery wheel used, thereby enabling substantially the same number of lottery holes to be provided both in the two circular lottery wheels and in the one circular lottery wheel. However, the radius of a lottery wheel in case of using the two circular lottery wheels becomes one half that in case of using the one circular lottery wheel. Consequently, the area of a lottery wheel decreases when the two circular lottery wheels are used. By thus using a plurality of lottery wheels, interest in the game can be prevented from being damped without wasting the space of the gaming hall. Furthermore, a plurality of lottery holes are provided along a plurality of circumferences, which can prevent interest in the game from being damped without wasting the space of the gaming hall.

The lottery wheels 338 and 339 are circular in the top view. These lottery wheels 338 and 339 are rotatably provided at positions on the deck of the cabinet 313 having a form in imitation of a ship. The standard rotational speed of the lottery wheel 338 is a speed at which one rotation takes 8 to 12 seconds but can be controlled by a main control circuit 400, which will be described later. For example, the rotational speed can be adjusted in the range of 5 to 12 seconds per rotation. While, in this embodiment, the lottery wheels 338 and 339 are rotated by lottery wheel rotation motors 335 and 337 (see FIG. 15) positioned at the respective center thereof, other forms can be adopted. For example, power for rotation can be conducted from other parts such as outer peripheries and bottom surfaces thereof. The lottery wheels 338 and 339 have the plane portions 338A and 339A, which allows rolling of lottery balls. Furthermore, the lottery wheels 338 and 339 rotate in the same directions (see arrows B1 and B2) as the directions (see arrows A1 and A2) in which lottery balls are dropped from the slopes 336A and 336B. More specifically, the lottery wheel 338 rotates clockwise, and the slope 336A is disposed in the clockwise direction as shown in FIG. 5. Thus, when lottery balls roll on the lottery wheels 338 and 339, the speed does not rapidly decrease. Therefore, the possibility is low that a lottery ball enters to one of the plurality of lottery holes 340 and 341 in an extremely short period of time. Furthermore, the rotation of the lottery wheels 338 and 339 allows lotteries to be performed without any change in speed of lottery balls sequentially dropped from the slopes 336A and 336B. When the lottery wheels 338 and 339 do not rotate, that is, the positions of the lottery holes 340 and 341 are not changed, an uneven game can be achieved in which a lottery ball dropped at a predetermined speed can easily or hardly enter a specific one of the plurality of lottery holes 340 and 341. The rotation of the lottery wheels 338 and 339 can prevent uneven lotteries.

A connection table 390 is provided between the two lottery wheels 338 and 339. The connection table 390 has a surface horizontal to the plane portions 338A and 339A of the lottery wheels 338 and 339. Thus, a lottery ball can roll between the lottery wheels 338 and 339. Furthermore, in response to the inclining (rocking) of the cabinet 313, a lottery ball rolls across the plurality of lottery wheels 338 and 339.

Guide portions 392 and 394 are provided between the lottery wheels 338 and 339. These guide portions 392 and 394 are provided at positions sandwiching the connection table 390 along the outer peripheries of the lottery wheels 338 and 339. These guide portions 392 and 394 are hither than the plane portions 338A and 339A of the lottery wheels 338 and 339 and have a convex form. Lottery balls come into collision with the guide portion 392 and 394 so that the orbits of the lottery balls can be guided.

Bank portions 396 and 398 are provided outside the lottery wheels 338 and 339. These bank portions 396 and 398 are provided along the outer peripheries of the lottery wheels 338 and 339. These bank portions 396 and 398 are higher than the plane portions 338A and 339A of the lottery wheels 338 and 339 and have a convex form. In other words, the bank portions 396 and 398 higher than the top surface of the plane portions 338A and 339A are provided along the outer peripheries of these plane portions 338A and 339A. Thus, even when lottery balls dropped from the slopes 336A and 336B to the lottery wheels 338 and 339 roll to the outside of the lottery wheels 338 and 339, the lottery balls run onto the bank portions 396 and 398 and roll on the lottery wheels 338 and 339 again. Furthermore, since the orbits of lottery balls returning from the bank portions 396 and 398 are changed by momentum and/or directions of the lottery balls running onto the bank portions 396 and 398, an unpredictable game can be provided to players, which can enhance amusingness of the game. Furthermore, when lottery balls having run onto the bank portions 396 and 398 roll on the lottery wheels 338 and 339, the speed does not significantly decrease. Thus, when the lottery balls having run onto the bank portions 396 and 398 roll onto the lottery wheels 338 and 339, the speed does not significantly decrease. Therefore, the possibility is low that a lottery ball enters to one of the plurality of lottery holes 340 and 341 in an extremely short period of time, and a lottery ball enters to one of the plurality of lottery holes 340 and 341 in about 10 to 30 seconds.

Furthermore, the lottery wheels 338 and 339 rotate in the opposite directions as indicated by the arrows B1 and B2. Thus, lottery balls having dropped to the lottery wheel 338 roll from the lottery wheel 338 to the lottery wheel 339 through the connection table 390 conversely, lottery balls having dropped to the lottery wheel 339 rolls from the lottery wheel 339 to the lottery wheel 338 through the connection table 390. Thus, lottery balls roll between the lottery wheels 338 and 339. Furthermore, since the rocking device 346 is provided in the lottery machine 312, the cabinet 313 of the lottery machine 312 is rocked thereby. Then, for example, lottery balls are rolled in infinity orbit between the lottery wheels 338 and 339. Thus, an unpredictable and innovative game can be provided to players, which can enhance amusingness of the game. Notably, the lottery wheels 338 and 339, connection table 390, guide portions 392 and 394 and bank portions 396 and 398 are enclosed by a fence made of a transparent resin so that no lottery balls can roll to the outside of the fence.

These lottery wheels 338 and 339 have 26 lottery holes 340 and 26 lottery holes 341, respectively. As shown in FIG. 5, indicias including spades and hearts as first signs are assigned to the plurality of lottery holes 340 in the lottery wheel 338. More specifically, A, 2 to 10, J, Q and K of spades and A, 2 to 10, J, Q and K of hearts are assigned to the plurality of lottery holes 340 in the lottery wheel 338. On the other hand, indicias including clubs and diamonds as first signs are assigned to the plurality of lottery holes 341 in the lottery wheel 339. More specifically, A, 2 to 10, J, Q and K of clubs and A, 2 to 10, J, Q and K of diamonds are assigned to the plurality of lottery holes 341 in the lottery wheel 339. In other words, a position where a lottery ball is rolling is visually checked for matching some of the plurality of signs so that the indicia desired by a player can be easily recognized. Thus, haste and expectations of the player can be more raised and amusingness of the game can be enhanced. For example, while a lottery ball is rolling on the lottery ball 338, the fact that the first sign is spades or hearts can be easily recognized. While a lottery ball is rolling on the lottery ball 339, the fact that the first sign is clubs or diamonds can be easily recognized. In other words, on the two lottery wheels 338 and 339, indicias some of first signs of which match are assigned to the plurality of lottery holes 340 and 341 in the two lottery wheels 338 and 339. Thus, a position where a lottery ball is rolling is visually checked for matching some of the plurality of signs so that the indicia desired by a player can be easily recognized. Therefore, haste and expectations can be more raised and amusingness of the game can be enhanced.

Discharge Path and Collection Path

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the discharge paths 347A and 347B and the collection path 350. FIG. 6 shows the positional relationship of the lottery wheels 338 and 339 and the screw conveyor 320 with respect to these paths. Therefore, FIG. 6 also shows the lottery wheels 338 and 339 and the screw conveyor 320 in combination therewith.

Below the lottery wheels 338 and 339, the respective discharge paths 347A and 347B are each transversely disposed on (under) the circumferences of two concentric circles along which the lottery holes 340, 341 are arranged. The open/close shutters 344A and 344B (see FIG. 7) are provided in upper end portions within the discharge paths 347A and 347B, respectively

The collection path 350 is provided below the discharge paths 347A and 347B. The collection path 350 is a gutter-like path obtained by forming a metal plate to shape, and the bottom surface thereof is preferably a smooth-faced flat plate. The collection path 350 extends with a portion thereof below the discharge path 347A as one end, passing through the portion below the discharge path 347A and then rounding a bend, down to the other end that is the conveyance start position 320D of the screw conveyor 320. The ball delivery devices 354A and 354B are provided at the positions of the collection path 350 opposite the discharge paths 347A and 347B, i.e., at the positions below the discharge paths 347A and 347B. Additionally, the discharge paths 347A and 347B and the collection path 350 are fixed to the cabinet 313 together with the lottery wheels 338 and 339 and the screw conveyor 320, and incline as the cabinet 313 inclines.

Open/Close Shutter

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the open/close shutter 344A, wherein, since having the same structure, the open/close shutter 344B is not illustrated. The open/close shutter 344A is a disklike plate having two notches at opposed positions. The rotating shaft of a motor 345 that is a stepping motor is connected to the center of the disklike plate. The open/close shutter 344A is rotatably driven by the motor 345 and changes alternately into the open state and the closed state for each 90-degree rotation.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing the structure of the open/close shutter 344A disposed in the lottery machine 312. Additionally, since showing the movement of the lottery ball, the sectional view shows a section taken along the outer circumference arranged with the lottery holes of the lottery wheel 338.

While the lottery wheel 338 is provided above the cabinet 313, a part of the cabinet 313 under the lottery wheel 338 has a circular hole 313A, and the open/close shutter 344A is provided in the hole. When a draw is being made, the open/close shutter 344A is closed. A lottery ball having dropped to a lottery hole is supported by the cabinet 313 and open/close shutter 344A so as to be retained not to fall any further. Once the game ends and the open/close shutter 344A is rotationally driven by 90 degrees by the motor 345, the two notches of the open/close shutter 344A are positioned under the outer circumference and inner circumference having lottery holes (the state shown in FIG. 8). When the lottery wheel 338 rotates under this state, a lottery ball having passed above the open/close shutter 344A further passes through the notches of the open/close shutter 344A and falls to the discharge path 347A. Thus, the lottery balls retained in the plurality of lottery holes 340 of the lottery wheel 338 are all discharged from the discharge path 347A as a result of one rotation of the lottery wheel 338. Then, the lottery balls enter the collection path 350 below the discharge path 347A. When all of the lottery balls have been discharged, the open/close shutter 344A is rotationally driven by 90 degrees again by the motor 345 and is closed. Since an discharging mechanism does not have to be provided to each of all of the lottery holes 340 but one centralized discharging mechanism can be provided because of this configuration, the mechanism can be simplified and the costs for producing the gaming machine can be reduced. The number of lottery balls (number of balls) discharged from the discharge path 347A in each unit time depends on the speed of rotation of the lottery wheel 338. As the speed of rotation of the lottery wheel 338 increased, the number of lottery balls to be discharged in each unit time increases.

Ball Delivery Device

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the discharge path 347A, collection path 350, and ball delivery device 354 (354A, 354B) as seen from below.

The ball delivery device 354A is disposed opposite to the collection path 350, and the collection path 350 is disposed opposite to the discharge path 347A. Specifically, the ball delivery device 354A includes a motor 356, a ball delivery rod 357, and a ball delivery rod hole 358 provided in the collection path 350, the ball delivery rod 357 and the ball delivery rod hole 358 are provided on the collection path 350. The ball delivery rod hole 358 is disposed opposite to the discharge path 347A. The ball delivery rod 357 is a rod made of a metal bar, whose center is attached, at right angles, to the rotating shaft of the motor 356. The ball delivery rod 357 is rotatably driven by the motor 356 so that both ends of the ball delivery rod 357 move in a circular pattern. When the ball delivery rod 357 rotates, a portion thereof having a predetermined length from either end protrudes from the ball delivery rod hole 358 to the collection path 350.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view schematically showing how the ball delivery device 354A delivers the lottery balls in the collection path 350. The ball delivery rod 357 is driven by the motor 356, so that the ball delivery rod 357 protruding from the ball delivery rod hole 358 rotates in the direction in which the lottery balls move toward the screw conveyor 320. On this occasion, then the collection path 350 has therein any lottery ball in the range where the ball delivery rod 357 protrudes from the ball delivery rod hole 358 to the collection path 358, the lottery ball is pushed out and accelerated as being flicked to the ball delivery rod hole 358, and thus moves toward the screw conveyor 320 through the collection path 350.

Since being thus accelerated and moving at a high speed through the collection path, the lottery balls quickly reach the conveyance start position 320D of the screw conveyor 320. Thereby, after the game ends, the lottery balls can be collected in a shorter time to complete preparation for the start of the next game. Besides, even when the collection path 350 has an obstacle such as a minute convex or concave and a speck of dust, the lottery balls can be prevented from getting stuck there, so that the game can be provided smoothly. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the cabinet is inclined by the rocking device 346, along with which the collection path 350 is also inclined to move the lottery balls therewithin. However, such an inclination is essentially intended for giving variety to the way that the lottery balls enter the lottery holes 340, 341 at the game. And, conventionally, a long time is sometimes required in order to move the lottery balls within the collection path 350. The ball delivery device 354A for delivering the lottery balls is provided as described in this embodiment which can shorten the time required to move, i.e., collect the lottery balls.

Additionally, it is preferred that the speed at which the ball delivery rod 357 rotates is properly adjusted in response to the distance of the collection path 350 and the mass of the lottery balls, depending upon the selection of the motor 356 or the voltage applied to the motor 356. Besides, since the lottery balls are accelerated at an early stage and collected in a shorter time, it is preferred that the position at which the ball delivery rod 357 protrudes from the ball delivery rod hole 358 falls in a position opposite the discharge path 347A. In order to prevent the problem that the lottery balls stick into the ball delivery rod hole 358, thus increasing the resistance to the delivery, preferably, the width of the ball delivery rod hole 358 is set to be narrow so as not to impede the rotation of the ball delivery rod 357, more preferably, to be twice or less the width of the ball delivery rod 357. Otherwise, more desirably, the distance between either one wall of the collection path 350 and an edge positioned further away from the one wall out of the longitudinal edges of the ball delivery rod hole 358 is smaller than the radius of the lottery balls (see FIG. 11). This can prevent the lottery balls from sticking into the ball delivery rod hole 358. Further, the length of the ball delivery rod 357 is a preferably a little shorter than the radius of the lottery balls or may be shorter than the diameter of the lottery balls. Further, more preferably, the shape of the ball delivery rod 357 is a circular cylinder. Further, more preferably, the ball delivery rod 357 may rotate in the direction contrary to the direction that the lottery balls move toward the screw conveyor 320. Further, more preferably, the ball delivery rod 357 is two as shown in FIG. 10, in order to prevent a jam of the lottery balls.

Open/Close Gate

FIGS. 12A to 12G are longitudinal sectional views showing the collection path 350 in the vicinity of the open/close gate 352.

After one game ends, the lottery balls 302 enter the collection path 350 from the discharge paths 347A and 347B and are delivered by the ball delivery device 354A. After the elapse of a predetermined time, as shown in FIG. 12A, these lottery balls 302 are then accumulated on the discharge path side of the collection path 350 in the vicinity of the open/close gate 352. The cabinet 313 is inclined by the rocking device 346 with the lottery balls 302 held in the aforesaid collection path 350 as shown in FIG. 12A. In this case, as shown in FIG. 12B, since the open/close gate 352 provided in the collection path 350 is in the closed state, the lottery balls 302 are held in the collection path 350 so as to be positioned on the open/close gate 352 side. Then, as shown in FIG. 12C, the open/close gate 352 is controlled into the open state, whereby the lottery balls 302 positioned in the collection path 350 roll toward a lower portion of the spiral body 320A. That is, the cabinet 313 is inclined, and the lottery balls 302 positioned in the collection path 350 are led out to the screw conveyor 320. When the lottery balls 302 thus roll toward the lower portion of the spiral body 320A, the lottery ball passing detection sensor 351 detects the number of lottery balls 302 rolling toward the lower portion of the spiral body 320A. That is, the lottery ball passing detection sensor 351 detects the number of lottery balls 302 led out to the screw conveyor 320 from the collection path 350. In other words, the lottery ball passing detection sensor 351 detects the number of lottery balls 302 passed through the open/close gate 352. When the number of lottery balls 302 detected by the lottery ball passing detection sensor 351 reaches a predetermined number, as shown in FIG. 12D, the open/close gate 352 is controlled into the closed state. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 12E, the predetermined number of lottery balls 302 roll toward the lower portion of the spiral body 320A and conveyed upward by the screw conveyor 320. That is, the lottery balls 302 are made ready to be inputted. Besides, in this state, as shown in FIG. 12F, the inclination of the cabinet 313 is returned to a horizontal position, i.e., control for restraint is performed. That is, the rocking device 346 has the function of restraining the inclination of the cabinet 313. Besides, as shown in FIG. 12F, the lottery balls 302 that have rolled toward the lower portion of the spiral body 320A do not return. Of course, as shown in FIG. 12G, even when the cabinet 313 is inclined in the reverse direction, similarly, the lottery balls 302 that have rolled toward the lower portion of the spiral body 320A do not return.

Thereby, the cabinet 313 (see FIG. 1) is inclined, and the lottery balls positioned in the collection path 350 are led out to the lower portion of the spiral body 320A. Therefore, the lottery balls 302 can be reliably collected by inclining the cabinet 313, thus enabling the gaming machine to be manufactured in a simple fashion and at low cost. Particularly, as much space as possible need be saved in a large-size gaming machine such as a bingo game machine, and still more space can be saved according to the invention.

Gaming Terminal

The gaming terminal 314A in the gaming machine 310 will be described with reference to FIG. 13. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an operation part of the gaming terminal 314 viewed from a player's position. Since the gaming terminals 314B to 314J have a configuration similar thereto, the description will be omitted herein.

The gaming terminal 314A mainly includes a display device 370A, a touch sensor 372A (FIG. 16), two dials 376A and 377A, a medal input port 378A and a main control circuit 500A (FIG. 16).

The display device 370A is provided in the upper part of the gaming terminal 341A. A matrix card image for a bingo game assigned to a player and other information or images relating to an optional game and so on are displayed on the display device 370A. In other words, the display device 370 includes a plurality of boxes in a plurality of rows by a plurality of columns and displays a matrix in which indicias are assigned to the respective a plurality of boxes. Furthermore, as described later, on the condition that indicia selected by the main control circuit 400 or the like agrees with one of identification pieces assigned to the respective plural boxes, the main control circuit 500A or the like controls to activate the box corresponding to one of the identification pieces and controls to give a dividend on the condition that a result from the control for activating has a predetermined form. Under this configuration, the game is developed with various kinds of information displayed on the display device 370A being visually checkable by a player.

Furthermore, a camera (not shown) for shooting entire images of the lottery wheels 338 and 339 may be provided in the lottery machine 312. Then, by displaying a shot image on the display device 370A, the lottery wheels 338 and 339 can be visually checked by a player even when one of the lottery wheels 338 and 339 is hard to see.

Furthermore, a touch panel mainly including the touch sensor 372A is provided in the display device 370A. Thus, at the touch of the display device 370A, a game environment allowing inputting various data or commanding can be provided to a player.

While, in this embodiment, various input operations are allowed by the touch sensor 372A, other operation forms may be adopted. For example, a plurality of operation buttons may be provided therein so that various input operation can be performed.

A seat portion 374A is provided on the player side of the display device 370A. The two dials 376A and 377A positioning as upper and lower layers are provided on the top surface of the seat portion 374A. By using the dials 376A and 377A, a game environment, which is hard to operate only by pressing a normal operation button or touching the touch panel, can be provided to a player.

For example, in this embodiment, on a bingo game matrix image displayed on the display device 370A, an indicia assigned to a bingo box in the outer periphery of the matrix image can be moved to an adjacent bingo box along the outer periphery. In the past, when a second indicia needs to be moved continuously and when only pressing a normal operation button and touching the touch panel are allowed as operations, the operations must be performed again and again, which is significantly burdensome. Accordingly, by using input devices such as the dials 376A and 377A, continuous operations can be performed through one action. Thus, a highly operable game can be provided to a player. Furthermore, operations can be performed very easily for analog movements such as scrolling on screens and moving a pointer thereon. Thus, a highly operable game can be provided to a player.

The medal input port 378A for inserting a medal is provided on the right side of the dials 376A and 377A A medal sensor 380A (see FIG. 16) is provided within the metal slot 378A. The medal sensor 380A senses that a medal has been inserted to the medal input port 378A. Thus, when a medal is inserted to the medal input port 378A by a player, the fact that the medal has been inserted is sensed by the medal sensor 380A.

The main control circuit 500A is placed within the seat portion 374A and controls the above-described different devices.

System Configuration of Gaming Machine

A system configuration in the gaming machine 310 will be described with reference to FIG. 14.

As shown in FIG. 14, the gaming machine 310 mainly includes a lottery machine controller 360 for controlling the lottery machine 312 and the gaming terminals 314A to 314J.

The lottery machine controller 360 is communicably connected to the ten gaming terminals 314A to 314J. The lottery machine controller 360 can control the ten gaming terminals 314A to 314J by exchanging various kinds of data and signals with the 314A to 314J.

Electric Configuration of Lottery Machine

An electric configuration in the lottery machine 312 of the gaming machine 310 will be described with reference to FIG. 15.

As shown in FIG. 15, the ball entrance detection sensor 349 is connected to an interface circuit group 402 of the main control circuit 400. When the lottery balls enter any of the plural lottery holes 340, 341, the ball entrance detection sensor 349 supplies a predetermined signal to an input/output bus 404 via the interface circuit group 402. The input/output bus 404 inputs/outputs a data signal or an address signal from the central processing unit (hereinafter called the CPU) 406.

Besides, the lottery ball passing detection sensor 351 is also connected to the interface circuit group 402 of the main control circuit 400. When a lottery ball passes through the open/close gate 352, the lottery ball passing detection sensor 351 supplies a predetermined signal to the input/output bus 404 via the interface circuit group 402.

Furthermore, communication control circuits 414A to 414J are connected to the interface circuit group 402. The communication control circuits 414A to 414J are used for communicably connecting the lottery machine controller 360 and the gaming terminals 314A to 314J.

A read-only memory (ROM) 408 and a random access memory (RAM) 410 are also connected to the above-described input/output bus 404. The ROM 408 records a control program for controlling processing relating to a game in the lottery machine controller 360. Furthermore, the ROM 408 stores initial data used for executing the control program and various programs. Furthermore, the RAM 410 stores values of flags and/or variants to be used in the above-described programs.

Furthermore, an interface circuit group 412 is connected to the input/output bus 404. A lottery ball lifting motor 320C, a rotation motor 326, lottery wheel rotation motors 335 and 337, a motor 345 for the open/close shutter 344, the rocking device 346 and a reclosable gate 352 are connected to the interface circuit group 412. Thus, the devices are controlled by the CPU 406 so that the above-described lottery machine 312 can be driven.

Electric Configuration of Gaming Terminal

An electric configuration of the gaming terminal 314A of the gaming machine 310 will be described with reference to FIG. 16. Since the gaming terminals 314B to 314J have configurations similar thereto, the description will be omitted herein. Each of these gaming terminals functions as an apparatus for determining details of a game along with the main control circuit 400 of the lottery machine 312.

As shown in FIG. 16, the medal sensor 380A is connected to an interface circuit group 502A of a main control circuit 500A. When a medal is inserted through the medal input port 378A by the medal sensor 380A, a predetermined signal is supplied to an input/output bus 504A through the interface circuit group 502A. The input/output bus 504A inputs/outputs data signals or address signals to a central processing unit (CPU) 506A.

Furthermore, the touch sensor 372A is also connected to the interface circuit group 502A of the main control circuit 500A. When the fact that a position displaying a command displayed on the display device 370A is touched by a player is detected, the touch sensor 372A supplies a signal corresponding to the command to the interface circuit group 502A.

Furthermore, the dials 376A and 377A are connected to the above-described interface circuit group 502A. When the dial 376A or 377A is rotated by a player, a signal corresponding to the angle of rotation is supplied to the interface circuit group 502A.

Furthermore, a communication control circuit 514A is connected to the interface circuit group 502A. The communication control circuit 514A is communicably connected to the lottery machine controller 360 and the gaming terminal 314A.

A read-only memory (ROM) 508A and a random access memory (RAM) 510A are connected to the above-described input/output bus 504A. The ROM 508A records a control program for controlling processing relating to a game in the gaming terminal 314A. Furthermore, the ROM 508A stores initial data used for executing the control program and programs for display control in the display device 370A. Furthermore, the RAM 510A stores values of flags and/or variants to be used in the above-described programs.

Furthermore, an interface circuit group 512A is connected to the input/output bus 504A. A speaker 586A and a hopper 588A are connected to the interface circuit group 512A, and the interface circuit group 512A supplies drive signals and drive power so as to control the above-described devices in accordance with results of computing processing in the CPU 506A.

Furthermore, a display controller 600A is connected to the interface circuit group 512A. The display controller 600A supplies image signals for displaying images to the display device 370A based on an image display command supplied from the main control circuit 500A.

Standby Screen of Gaming Terminal

A standby screen to be displayed on the display device 370A of the gaming terminal 314A will be described with reference to FIG. 17.

FIGS. 17 to 21 show an embodiment in which the invention is applied to a bingo game using a bingo card having 5.5 bingo boxes as described below. The conventional dominating bingo game includes drawing a predetermined number of numbers from 25 numbers at a probability of 1/25 for a bingo card having 5.5 bingo boxes, when a drawn number is on the bingo card, activating the bingo box corresponding to the number, and making a bingo hand by five activated bingo boxes in a horizontal, vertical or diagonal line. In this embodiment, instead of numbers acting as indicias used in a conventional bingo game, playing-card designs are used as indicias (where one joker or two jokers may be included or no joker may be included, or a free spot having a specific bingo box activated irrespective of a drawn indicia may be regarded as a joker). Then, a lottery is performed at a probability of 1/52 (or at a probability of 1/53 or 1/54). In this case, in addition to conventional bingo hands, poker hands may be made (such as One Pair, Two Pair, Three Of A Kind, Straight, Flush, Full House, Four Of A Kind, Straight Plush, Royal Flush and Five Of A Kind), and a dividend in accordance with a bingo hand or poker hand is given to a player. Furthermore, a poker hand and a bingo hand may be made in a specific same line on a bingo card at the same time. In this case, both of the dividend corresponding to the poker hand and the dividend corresponding to the bingo hand are given to a player. However, bingo boxes are activated at a lower probability than that of a conventional bingo came, which lowers the possibility that a bingo hand is made. Accordingly, while a bingo hand is conventionally made by five activated bingo boxes in a horizontal, vertical or diagonal line, a bingo hand may be made by not only five but also three or four activated bingo boxes in a line.

Furthermore, receiving operations on the gaming terminal 314 in relation to a game is all by a touch panel method excluding operations through the dials 376A and 377A (See FIG. 13 for both of them). In other words, the touch sensor 372A (see FIG. 16) is provided on the surface of the display device 370A such that a player can operate a gaming terminal that the player intends by touching a predetermined touch portion of the display device 370A. However, the invention is not limited thereto, but an operation receiving method not using a touch panel method may be adopted. For example, predetermined switches may be provided for receiving operations of a player.

FIG. 17 is an example in which a screen for receiving an entry of a game through the gaming terminal 314 is displayed on the display device 370A of the gaming terminal 314 and operations on a touch portion 480, a touch portion 481 and the dials 376A and 377A (see FIG. 13) for receiving an entry operation of a game are valid. Other operations on the dial 376A and/or dial 377A (see FIG. 13 for both of the) are invalid. Furthermore, medal insertion to the medal input port 378A (see FIG. 13) is also invalid, and an inserted medal is returned to a player from a medal payout port 382A. Furthermore, all of bingo boxes having playing-card designs in a matrix form on a bingo card displayed on the display device 370A are also displayed darker or shaded so as to indicate that the bingo boxes do not still win in a lottery and are not activated. Activating a bingo box refers to processing for displaying a bingo box having the same pattern as a playing-card design drawn by the lottery machine 312, if any, distinctively from the other bingo boxes hereinafter. Through the processing of activating a bingo box, the bingo box is displayed brighter or is unshaded, for example. Notably, a bingo box on a bingo card on the standby screen of the gaming terminal 314 is not activated based on a drawing of an indicia in the lottery machine 312. Furthermore, the values of line odds and poker odds shown on the display device 370A are not changed by any operations by a player.

An arrangement of playing-card designs displayed on bingo cards having 5.5 bingo boxes displayed on the standby screen of the gaming terminal 314 is different from the arrangement on a bingo card to be used in a game after the game entry. Here, it is a display of a demonstration screen only, and an arrangement of playing-card designs displayed on a bingo card is not determined until the game entry.

An entry to a game is received when the touch portion 480 or touch portion 481 is touched by a player. When the game entry is received by the gaming terminal 314, the display is changed to the screen in FIG. 18.

Screen on Gaming Terminal After Game Entry

A screen after game entry to be displayed on the display device 370A of the gaming terminal 314 will be described with reference to FIG. 18.

FIG. 18 shows a screen displaying a determined bingo card including 5.5 bingo boxes having playing-card designs. Here, playing-card designs are placed in an arrangement including a predetermined poker hand (such as a poker hand made by five playing cards, that is, Straight, Flush, Full House, Straight Flush or Royal Flush) on a specific line in advance. By preparing a high dividend hand on a bingo card in advance in this way, the expectations of a player can be advantageously enhanced. Notably, playing-card designs are arranged at random in bingo boxes excluding the predetermined poker hand. The display of the touch portion 480 and touch portion 481 are eliminated, and the display of an entire condition notification unit 483, which will be described later, appears. At the state on the screen, a BET operation based on medal insertion by a player or an operation on the dial 378A or 377A (see FIG. 13 for both of them) are valid for a certain period of time (such as a predetermined time like 45 seconds). For example, through a BET operation based on medal insertion by a player, a predetermined number of medals are BET so that the level of line odds shown on a line odds table 482 can rise. Thus, the shaded part in the figure is moved upward in the figure, and the value indicating the odds level of the line odds in the figure rises (in FIG. 18, the shaded part positioned in the second row from the bottom of the line odds table 482, and the odds level is 2). Furthermore, a predetermined number of medals are BET so that the value of the poker odds shown on a poker odds table 484 can increase and the value on the display of the odds level of the poker odds in the figure can increase in the same manner (in the figure, the odds values for poker hands are as displayed, and the odds level of the poker odds is 3). Odds level here refers to an index indicating the rank among hierarchies of odds values. In this case, odds values are divided into a predetermined number of hierarchies in accordance with the magnitudes of odds values. For example, the odds value may increase as the value of the odds level increases, or the odds value may decrease as the value of odds level decreases.

Also on the display device 370A of the gaming terminal after a game entry, bingo boxes on a bingo card may be all displayed darker or shaded so that the bingo boxes are indicated as bingo boxes, which are not won in the lottery and are not activated.

When a BET operation based on medal insertion by a player and an operation on the dial 376A and/or dial 377A (see FIG. 13 for both of them) are valid, a player can rotationally move a bingo box in the inner periphery 490 of the bingo card Hatched with lines oriented diagonally upward right as seen in FIG. 18 by operating the dial 376A and can rotationally move a bingo box in the outer periphery 491 of a bingo card Hatched with lines oriented diagonally downward right as seen in FIG. 18 by operating the dial 377A. More specifically, when a player rotationally operates the dial 376A counterclockwise by a predetermined amount, the bingo box in the inner radius 490 of the bingo cards is, in accordance thereto, also rotationally moved counterclockwise about the center of the bingo cards only by the predetermined amount. For example, when the dial 376A is rotationally operated counterclockwise by an amount corresponding to the amount of movement equal to one bingo box, Queen of hearts positioning at the upper left corner of the inner radius 490 of the bingo cards in FIG. 18 moves to a place hating Jack of hearts, and Jack of hearts moves to a place having 3 of clubs. In this way, each of bingo boxes moves counterclockwise by one. This is also true for the rotational movement in the outer periphery 491 of the bingo card in response to an operation on the dial 377A. Thus, a player can move a bingo box rotationally in an arbitrary manner about the center of the bingo card. Then, the operation is an operation allowed as far as the operations can be received in the gaming terminal 314. By allowing this kind of operation, bingo boxes must be moved not only to have an arrangement highly possibly making a bingo hand but also in consideration of a poker hand, which requires a strategy. Requiring a strategy means that bingo boxes must be moved in consideration of whether Two Pair having a high possibility to be made while giving a low dividend is aimed or Royal Flush having a low possibility to be made while giving a high dividend is aimed.

As the above, according to the invention, substantially all of one surface of the attachment base fixed to the cabinet frame within the cabinet is a ground plane, and the cabinet frame and strut are electrically connected thereto. The attachment base to which the detector is attached and the strut extending upward are grounded so that the radiant noise generated by the gaming machine can be suppressed. Furthermore, the strut and the lottery wheel rock in response to the rocking of the cabinet so that the rocking of the cabinet can be visually emphasized. Therefore, the generated radiant noise can be suppressed, and the presence can be enhanced by the rocking of the cabinet, which can increase the amusingness of a game.

Screen of Gaming Terminal During Game

An example of the display of the display device 370A of the gaming terminal 314 during the game will be described with reference to FIG. 19.

When the lottery machine 312 draws the playing-card designs, the result is transmitted to the gaming terminal 314. Upon receipt of the result, the gaming terminal 314 determines whether or not the same playing-card designs as the aforesaid playing-card designs exist in the bingo card displayed on the display device 370A of the gaming terminal 314. When this determination is that the same playing-card designs exist in the bingo card displayed on the display device 370A of the gaming terminal 314, the bingo boxes assigned with the aforesaid playing-card designs of the bingo card are displayed in a relatively bright condition, with half-tone dot meshing display cancelled, or in like manner, thereby indicating that the aforesaid bingo boxes are activated ones.

In FIG. 19, for example, seven bingo boxes assigned with the ten of diamonds, the jack of hearts, etc. are displayed in a relatively bright condition, with half-tone dot meshing display cancelled, or in like manner, thereby indicating that the aforesaid bingo boxes are activated ones. And, while the drawing of the lottery machine 312 is performed a predetermined number of times, the bingo boxes activated by the drawing are displayed in a relatively bright condition, with half-tone dot meshing display cancelled, or in like manner, thereby continuing to indicate that the aforesaid bingo boxes are activated ones.

Display of Reach State

Furthermore, in the display device 370A of the gaming terminal during the game as shown in FIG. 19, based on the determination as to which bingo box is activated next to establish the bingo hand or the poker hand, the bingo box to be activated next is displayed distinguishably to the players. Such display has two methods: the method of individually displaying bingo boxes any one of which is activated next to establish the bingo hand or the bingo hand (hereinafter called a reach state individual display); and the method of displaying the aforesaid bingo boxes recognizably at one time (hereinafter called a reach state display). The reach state refers to the state in which the bingo hand or the poker hand is established when a specific bingo box is activated next.

Additionally, the reach state individual display and the reach state display can display the reach state that responds to the movement of the bingo boxes, i.e., that corresponds to the bingo boxes after their movement each time they move.

The reach state individual display is configured as follows. That is, for example, in FIG. 19, when the bingo box assigned with the king of hearts is activated, three of a kind serving as the poker hand is established, and three bingo boxes are lined up as the bingo hand. Therefore, the player is notified of such a state by the method of flashing the bingo box assigned with the king of hearts or like method. Furthermore, as described later, when there exist a plurality of the bingo boxes any one of which is activated to establish the poker hand and/or the bingo hand, the flashing display is performed by switching between the bingo boxes for the poker hand and the bingo boxes for the bingo hand. Therefore, the players can identify which bingo box is activated to establish the poker hand and/or the bingo hand.

The reach state display is configured as follows. That is, for example, in FIG. 19, when the bingo boxes assigned with the king of hearts, the ace of spades, the king of spades, and the jack of clubs are activated, the poker hand and/or the bingo hand is established. Therefore, these bingo boxes are displayed in the entire condition notification unit 483 at one time, thus notifying the players of such a state. In FIG. 19, a flashing display 485 indicates where the bingo boxes any one of which is activated to establish the poker hand and/or the bingo hand are positioned in the entire bingo card. The flashing display 485 indicates only the positions, within the bingo card, of the bingo boxes any one of which is activated to establish the poker hand and/or the bingo hand, but does not indicate the playing-card designs assigned to the aforesaid bingo boxes. However, the invention is not limited thereto, but the playing-card designs may also be indicated therein.

At the bingo game, the playing-card designs are used as the indicias (particularly, playing-card numbers are used as the first indicias and playing-card suits are used as the second indicias). Therefore, both the bingo hand and the poker hand can be established, so that the number of patterns of the reach state increases, which becomes difficult to discriminate. Besides, since the bingo boxes can be moved, the reach state varies in many ways according to the movement. Consequently, it becomes difficult for the players to quickly determine what kind of reach state occurs. However, the aforesaid two methods of displaying the reach state is adopted, thereby enabling the players to easily and accurately recognize which bingo box is expected to be activated to establish the poker hand and/or the bingo hand in playing the bingo game. Therefore, the players, having expectation roused, can play the game at ease while maintaining interest.

Transition of Reach State Individual Display Screen of Gaming Terminal

The transition of a reach state individual display screen displayed on the display device 370A of the gaming terminal 314 will be described with reference to FIGS. 20A to 20D.

As the reach state individual display has been described above, in FIG. 19, when the bingo boxes assigned with the king of hearts, the ace of spades, the king of spades, and the jack of clubs are activated, the poker hand and/or the bingo hand is established. FIGS. 20A to 20D have the same situation as FIG. 19, and FIGS. 20A to 20D show, in due order, how the bingo boxes assigned with the king of hearts, the ace of spades, the king of spades, and the jack of clubs are individually displayed in a flashing manner.

In FIG. 20A, when the king of hearts is activated, three of a kind serving as the poker hand is established, and three activated bingo boxes serving as the bingo hand are lined up. Therefore, the bingo box assigned with the king of hearts is displayed in a flashing manner as in a flashing display 486. After this flashing display is performed for a predetermined time, a transition is made to the state of the next FIG. 20B.

In FIG. 20B, when the ace of spades is activated, straight serving as the poker hand is established, and five activated bingo boxes serving as the bingo hand are lined up. Therefore, the bingo box assigned with the ace of spades is displayed in a flashing manner as in a flashing display 487. After this flashing display is performed for a predetermined time, a transition is made to the state of the next FIG. 20C.

In FIG. 20C, when the king of spades is activated, three of a kind serving as the poker hand is established, and three activated bingo boxes serving as the bingo hand are lined up. Therefore, the bingo box assigned with the king of spades is displayed in a flashing manner as in a flashing display 488. After this flashing display is performed for a predetermined time, a transition is made to the state of the next FIG. 20D.

In FIG. 20D, when the jack of clubs is activated, four of a kind serving as the poker hand is established, and four activated bingo boxes serving as the bingo hand are lined up. Therefore, the bingo box assigned with the jack of clubs is displayed in a flashing manner as in a flashing display 489. After this flashing display is performed for a predetermined time, a transition is made again to the state of FIG. 20A.

Thus, the flashing display 486 of FIG. 20A, the flashing display 487 of FIG. 20B, the flashing display 488 of FIG. 20C, and the flashing display 489 of FIG. 20D are repeatedly displayed, in the order named, so that each display is displayed for the predetermined time and then makes its transition. This makes it possible to easily and accurately recognize which bingo box is expected to be activated to establish the poker hand and/or the bingo hand. Therefore, the players, having expectation roused, can play the game at ease while maintaining interest.

Additionally, in the aforesaid, the flashing display 486 of FIG. 20A, the flashing display 487 of FIG. 20B, the flashing display 488 of FIG. 20C, and the flashing display 489 of FIG. 20D are repeatedly displayed, in the order named, so that each display is displayed for the predetermined time and then makes its transition. However, the configuration may be such that the flashing displays make their transition in the order of the strength of the bingo hand and the poker hand (e.g., the hand awarding more dividends may be designated as a stronger hand).

Double-Up Game Screen of Gaming Terminal

A double-up game screen displayed on the display device 370A of the gaming terminal 314 will be described with reference to FIG. 21.

The double-up game is the game that, when awarded any dividend at the bingo game of the gaming machine 310, the player bets the dividend to play. In the double-up game, a dealer's playing-card design selected by control of the gaming terminal 314 is compared with one playing-card design selected by the player from a plurality of playing cards that are laid out face-down by control of the gaming terminal 314. Then, one who selects the stronger playing card wins the game. When the player wins the game, the dividend won by the player increases twice, whereas when the dealer wins the game, the dividend won by the player is all forfeited.

For example, in FIG. 21, the configuration is such that the playing-card design selected by the dealer is first to be shown, in response to which the player can select one from four playing cards laid out face-down by control of the gaming terminal 314. When the player selects the desired playing card by touching the display of this playing card, the aforesaid playing card is faced to display its design, thus determining the game result of the double-up game. When the player wins the game, the player can make a selection as to whether to play the double-up game again or not.

Additionally, when awarded any dividend at the bingo game of the gaming machine 310, the player can make a selection, at his/her discretion, as to whether to play the double-up game again or not.

Thus, a game enabling an increase in the dividend won by the player is provided separately from the game that is the intended objective of the gaming machine 310. Thereby, the player finds it significant to win the dividend at the game of the intended objective and thus tries to further increase the dividend won. Therefore, the player may be able to take a great interest in playing the game on the gaming machine 310.

Operation of Lottery Machine and Gaming Terminal

The process of the main control circuit 400 (see FIG. 15) of the lottery machine 312 and the process of the main control circuit 500A (see FIG. 16) of the gaming terminal 314 will be described with reference to FIGS. 22 and 23.

Operation of Lottery Machine

The process of the main control circuit 400 of the lottery machine 312 will first be shown with reference to FIG. 22.

A step S100 performs a game preparation process. Specifically, a predetermined number of the lottery balls held on the screw conveyor are moved to the lottery ball holding portion 332. Besides, in addition thereto, the CPU 406 performs various processes such as inclining the cabinet 313 at a predetermined angle. When this process ends, the process moves to a step S101.

At the step S101, the CPU 406 of the lottery machine 312 performs the determination of lottery start. The CPU 406 determines whether or not it is the time to start a lottery after the elapse of a predetermined waiting time. When this determination is YES, the process moves to a step S102, and when NO, the process moves to a step S103.

At the step S102, the CPU 406 of the lottery machine 312 performs the transmission of a lottery start signal. The CPU 406 transmits the lottery start signal via the communication control circuits 414A to 414J to the gaming terminals 314A to 314J, respectively. When this process ends, the process moves to a step S104. Additionally, the aforesaid lottery start signal is received by the gaming terminal 314 at a to-be-described step S204 that is the process of the main control circuit 500A of the gaming terminal 314.

On the contrary, at the step S103, the CPU 406 of the lottery machine 312 performs waiting time consumption. The CPU 406 measures the time elapsing until the predetermined waiting time has elapsed. When this process ends, the process returns to the step S101.

At the step S104, the CPU 406 of the lottery machine 312 performs bet operation reception time consumption. The CPU 406 measures the time elapsing until a predetermined bet operation reception time has elapsed. When this process ends, the process moves to a step S105.

The step S105 starts the rotation of the lottery wheels. By control of the main control circuit 400 of the lottery machine 312, the lottery wheel rotation motors 335 and 337 are started to start the rotation of the plane portions 338A and 339B. When this process ends, the process moves to a step S106.

The step S106 starts the rocking of the cabinet. By control of the main control circuit 400 of the lottery machine 312, the rocking device 346 is started to start the rocking of the cabinet of the lottery machine 312. When this process ends, the process moves to a step S107.

The step S107 performs the process of dropping one lottery ball. By control of the main control circuit 400 of the lottery machine 312, the rotary body 328 (see FIG. 1) is controlled to drop one lottery ball into the lottery ball receiving portion 334. When this process ends, the process moves to a step S108.

The step S108 performs the process of obtaining the indicias. In this process, by control of the main control circuit 400 of the lottery machine 312, one of the ball entrance detection sensors 349 disposed one in each of the plural lottery holes 340 detects the entrance of one lottery ball. Thus, the CPU 406 of the lottery machine 312 obtains the indicia corresponding to the lottery hole 340 that the one lottery ball has entered. The CPU 406, etc. for executing such a process, etc. correspond to an example of game result determination means. When this process ends, the process moves to a step S109.

At the step S109, the CPU 406 of the lottery machine 312 transmits the indicias obtained at the step SOB and the information of which round is the current lottery in. The CPU 406 transmits the indicias and the information of which round is the current lottery in, to the gaming terminals 314A to 314J via the communication control circuits 414A to 414J, respectively. When this process ends, the process moves to a step S110. Additionally, the aforesaid information of which round is the current lottery in is counted by the CPU 406 and stored in the RAM 410 (see FIG. 15). Furthermore, the aforesaid indicias and information of which round is the current lottery in are received by the gaming terminal 314 at a to-be-described step S214 that is the process of the main control circuit 500A of the gaming terminal 314.

At the step S110, the CPU 406 of the lottery machine 312 makes a determination as to whether a predetermined number of rounds of lottery has ended or not. Referring to the aforesaid information of which round is the current lottery in, which is stored in the RAM 410, the CPU 406 determines whether this information has reached the predetermined number of rounds or not. When this determination is YES, the process moves to a step S112, and when NO, the process returns to the step S107.

The step S112 terminates the rocking of the cabinet. By control of the main control circuit 400 of the lottery machine 312, the rocking device 346 is stopped to terminate the rocking of the cabinet of the lottery machine 312. When this process ends, the process moves to a step S113.

The step S113 terminates the rotation of the lottery wheels. By control of the main control circuit 400 of the lottery machine 312, the lottery wheel rotation motors 335 and 337 are stopped to terminate the rotation of the lottery wheels 338 and 339. When this process ends, the process moves to the step S100.

[Operation of Gaming Terminal]

The process of the main control circuit 500A (see FIG. 16) of the gaming terminal 314 will be shown with reference to FIGS. 22 and 23.

A step S201 performs the initialization of the gaming terminal 314. The CPU 506A (see FIG. 16) of the gaming terminal 314 performs processes such as clearing of various variables allocated to the RAM 510A (see FIG. 16) and initialization of the display of the display device 370A. When this process ends, the process moves to a step S202.

The step S202 performs the display of the demonstration screen. When this process ends, the process moves to a step S203.

The step S203 performs the process of detecting the game entry operation. In this process, the players make a game entry. By control of the main control circuit 50A of the gaming terminal 314, the touch sensor 372A (or the main control circuit 500A itself) detects that the player has touch-operated the display device 370A (or has operated the dial 376A or 377A). When this process ends, the process moves to a step S204.

The step S204 performs the process of receiving the lottery start signal. By control of the main control circuit 500A (see FIG. 16) of the gaming terminal 314, the CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314 receives, via the communication control circuit 514A, the lottery start signal transmitted by the lottery machine 312 through the process of the step S102. When this process ends, the process moves to a step S209.

The step S209 performs the process of creating and displaying the bingo card. The CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314 selects a predetermined number (e.g., twenty five) of display data from display data (e.g., the playing-card designs) that are stored in the ROM 508A and used for displaying the indicias. Thus, the predetermined number of display data are displayed on the display device 370A as being arranged in matrix form. When this process ends, the process moves to a step S210.

The step S210 performs bingo box moving operation activation. In this process, the CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314 turns on a bingo box moving operation activation flag allocated to the RAM 510A (see FIG. 16). Thereby, the operation of the dial 376A or 377A for moving the bingo boxes is activated on the gaming terminal 314. As long as the bingo box moving operation activation flag is on, the operation of the dial 376A or 377A is valid. When this process ends, the process moves to a step S211.

The step S211 performs bet operation receptions. In this process, the CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314 processes the information that is the information about the bet operation the player has performed by touching the display device 370A and that the touch sensor 372A has detected by control of the main control circuit 500A of the gaming terminal 314, and stores the bet information into the RAM 510A (see FIG. 16). When this process ends, the process moves to a step S212.

The step S212 determines the number of dividends in response to the number of bets. In this process, based on the bet information stored in the RAM SIA (see FIG. 16) at the step 211 the CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314 determines the number of dividends at the game. The determination result is stored into the RAM 510A (see FIG. 16) and displayed in a predetermined display portion of the display device 370A. When this process ends, the process moves to a step S213.

The step S213 makes a determination as to whether a bet reception time ends or not. The CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314 measures the time elapsing after the process of the step S209 is performed, and determines whether or not the measured time reaches a predetermined time. When this determination is YES, the process moves to a step S214 of FIG. 23, and when NO, the process returns to the step S211.

The step S214 receives the indicias that are transmitted through the process of the step S199 and obtained by the CPU 406 of the lottery machine 312 at the step S108 (see FIG. 22), and the information of which round is the current lottery in. By control of the main control circuit 500A (see FIG. 16) of the gaming terminal 314, the aforesaid informations are received via the communication control circuit 514A. The CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314 stores, into the RAM 510A (see FIG. 16), the aforesaid indicias and the information of which round is the current lottery in. When this process ends, the process moves to a step S215.

The step S215 performs a bingo box moving operation inactivation process. The detail of this process will be described in the to-be-described detail of the bingo box moving operation inactivation process. When this process ends, the process moves to a step S216.

The step S216 retrieves whether the indicias received at the step S214 exist on the bingo card and, if they exist, activates the corresponding bingo boxes. In this process, it is retrieved whether or not the indicias received at the step 214 exist on the bingo card that is created at the step S209 and displayed on the display device 370A. If any identical indicia exists, the activation flag, allocated to the RAM 510A (see FIG. 16), of the bingo box assigned with the identical indicia is turned on. Furthermore, the aforesaid bingo box on the display device 370A is displayed so as to be distinguishable from the other bingo boxes in a relatively bright condition, with half-tone dot meshing display cancelled, or in like manner. When this process ends, the process moves to a step S217.

The step S217 performs a prize winning determination process. The detail of this process will be described in the to-be-described detail of the prize winning determination process. Additionally, the CPU 406, etc. for executing the steps S216, S217, etc. correspond to an example of the game result determination means. When this process ends, the process moves to a step S218.

The step S218 makes a determination as to whether a prize is won or not. Referring to the determination result of the step S217, the CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314 determines whether the prize is won or not. When this determination is YES, the process moves to a step S219, and when No, the process moves to a step S225.

The step S219 determines whether the double-up game is to be played or not. By control of the main control circuit 500A of the gaming terminal 314, the CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314 determines whether or not the touch sensor 372 has detected that the player has operated the predetermined touch portion displayed on the display device 370A in order to play the double-up game. When this determination is YES, the process moves to a step S220, and when NO, the process moves to a step S223.

The step S220 performs a double-up game process. This process is performed by control of the main control circuit 500A of the gaming terminal 314, and the process content is as described in the aforesaid description of the double-up game screen of the gaming terminal. When this process ends, the process moves to a step S221.

The step S221 determines whether the player has won the game or not. By control of the main control circuit 500A of the gaming terminal 314, the game result is determined as described in the aforesaid description of the double-up game screen of the gaming terminal, thus determining whether the player has won the game or not. When this determination is YES, the process moves to a step S222, and when NO, the process moves to a step S224.

The step S222 performs the process of doubling the dividend of the player. Referring to the information of the number of dividends obtained by the player which information is stored in the RAM 510A (see FIG. 16), the CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314 doubles this number and updates the original information. When this process ends, the process moves to the step S219.

On the contrary, the step S223 performs the process of paying out the dividend. The CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314 Refers to the information of the number of dividends obtained by the player which information is stored in the RAM 510A (see FIG. 16), by control of the main control circuit 500A, the hopper 588A pays out the number of medals corresponding to the aforesaid information of the number of dividends obtained by the player. When this process ends, the process moves to the step S201.

Besides, the step S224 performs the process of zeroing the number of dividends obtained by the player. Referring to the information of the number of dividends obtained by the player which information is stored in the RAN 510A (see FIG. 16), the CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314 reduces this number to 0 and updates the original information. When this process ends, the process moves to the step S201.

On the contrary, the step 225 performs a reach determination process. The detail of this process will be described in the to-be-described detail of the reach determination process. When this process ends, the process moves to a step 226.

The step S226 makes a determination as to whether the reach state is reached or not. Based on the reach determination result of the step S225, the CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314 determines whether or not the reach state is reached in which some bingo boxes of the bingo card displayed on the display device 370A are activated and one more bingo box is activated to thereby establish the bingo hand and/or the poker hand. When this determination is YES, the process moves to a step S227, and when NO, the process moves to a step S228.

The step S227 performs a reach box notification start process. The detail of this process will be described in the to-be-described detail of the reach box notification start process. When this process ends, the process moves to the step S228.

The step S228 makes a determination as to whether the indicia receive has reached a predetermined number of times. With reference to the information of which round is the current lottery in, which is stored in the RAM 510A (see FIG. 16) at the step S214, it is determined based on this information whether or not the indicia receive has reached the predetermined number of times. When this determination is YES, the process moves to the step S201, and when NO, the process moves to the step S214.

Detail of Bingo Box Moving Operation Inactivation Process

The detail of the bingo box moving operation inactivation process will be described with reference to FIG. 24.

The step S241 makes a determination as to whether the information received at S214 of which round is the current lottery in has reached the predetermined number of rounds or not. The CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314 determines the aforesaid information, thus determining whether or not the predetermined number of rounds has been reached (which number may be three for example or may have another value). When this determination is YES, the process moves to a step S242, and when NO, the present sub-routine is put to an immediate end and the process moves to the step S216 of FIG. 23.

The step S242 performs the prenotification of the bingo box moving operation inactivation. The main control circuit 500A of the gaming terminal 314 performs, on the display device 370A, a predetermined prenotification display for prenotifying the player that the process of closing the reception of the dial 376A or 377A operation for moving the bingo boxes is to be performed. When this process ends, the process moves to a step S243.

The step S243 performs the process of consuming a predetermined time. In this process, the CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314 measures the time elapsing after the process of the step S242 is performed, thus preventing the process from proceeding to the next step until the aforesaid time has spent the predetermined time. When this process ends, the process moves to a step S244.

The step 244 performs the bingo box moving operation inactivation process. In this process, the CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314 turns off the bingo box moving operation activation flag allocated to the RAM 510A (see FIG. 16). Thereby, the operation of the dial 376A or 377A for moving the bingo boxes is inactivated on the gaming terminal 314. When this process ends, the present sub-routine is put to an end and the process moves to the step S216 of FIG. 23.

Detail of Prize Winning Determination Process

The detail of the prize winning determination process will be described with reference to FIG. 25.

A step S231 makes a determination as to whether the bingo hand is established or not. In this process, the CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314 determines the combination of: the indicias configuring the bingo card displayed on the display device 370A which informations are stored in the RAM 510A (see FIG. 16); the information about the positions of the bingo boxes assigned with the indicias; and the activation flags corresponding to the indicias. Thus, the CPU 506A determines whether or not the bingo hand is established on a specific line of the bingo card. When this determination is YES, the process moves to a step S232, and when NO, the process moves to a step S233.

The step S232 turns on a bingo-hand establishment flag, stores into the RAM the information about all bingo hands established and the then bingo boxes, and stores the corresponding number of dividends into the RAM. The CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314 turns on the bingo-hand establishment flag allocated to the RAM 510A (see FIG. 16). Furthermore, the CPU 510A stores into the RAM 510A the information about all bingo hands established and the then bingo boxes. And, the CPU 510A determines the number of dividends equivalent to the all bingo hands established and stores the determination result into the RAM 510A. When this process ends, the process moves to the step S233.

The step S233 makes a determination as to whether the poker hand is established or not. In this process, the CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314 determines the combination of: the indicias configuring the bingo card displayed on the display device 370A which informations are stored in the RAM 510A (see FIG. 16); the information about the positions of the bingo boxes assigned with the indicias; and the activation flags corresponding to the indicias. Thus, the CPU 506A determines whether or not the poker hand is established on a specific line of the bingo card. When this determination is YES, the process moves to a step S234, and when NO, the present sub-routine is put to an immediate end and the process moves to the step S218 of FIG. 23.

The step S234 turns on a poker-hand establishment flag, stores into the RAM the information about all poker hands established and the then bingo boxes, and stores the corresponding number of dividends into the RAM. The CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314 turns on the poker-hand establishment flag allocated to the RAM 510A (see FIG. 16). Furthermore, the CPU 510A stores into the RAM 510A the information about all poker hands established and the then bingo boxes. And, the CPU 510A determines the number of dividends equivalent to the all poker hands established and stores the determination result into the RAM 510A. When this process ends, the present sub-routine is put to an end and the process moves to the step S218 of FIG. 23.

As described above, the prize winning determination process determines the bingo hand establishment and the poker hand establishment independently one of the other. This makes it possible that the bingo hand and the poker hand are simultaneously established on the specific identical line of the bingo card. And, the dividend is awarded for each of the bingo hand and poker hand that are established on the specific identical line of the bingo card. That is, the total amount of the dividend for the bingo hand and the dividend for the poker hand is awarded to the player. In this way, the player may be able to place a high expectation on the possibility that the hand awarding more dividends is established on the specific identical line of the bingo card. Additionally, this embodiment enables the bingo hand and the poker hand to be simultaneously established on the specific identical line of the bingo card. However, the invention is not limited thereto. It may be determined that only the bingo hand is established, or it may be determined that only the poker hand is established. On this occasion, the player is awarded only the dividend for the bingo hand or only the dividend for the poker hand.

Detail of Reach Determination Process

The detail of the reach determination process will be described with reference to FIG. 26.

A step S251 makes a determination as to whether a specific bingo box is activated to thereby establish the bingo hand or not. In this process, the CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314 determines the combination of: the indicias configuring the bingo card displayed on the display device 370A which informations are stored in the RAM 510A (see FIG. 16); the information about the positions of the bingo boxes assigned with the indicias; and the activation flags corresponding to the indicias. Thus, the CPU 506A determines whether or not the situation is that the bingo hand can be established on the specific line of the bingo card when the specific bingo box is activated. When this determination is YES, the process moves to a step S252, and when NO, the process moves to a step S253

The step 252 turns on a reach-bingo state flag and stores the information of all reach boxes for the bingo hand into the RAM 510A. In the situation where the bingo hand can be established on the specific line when one more bingo box is activated, the reach box refers to the one more bingo box. The CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314 turns on the reach-bingo state flag allocated to the RAM 510A (see FIG. 16). Furthermore, the CPU 506A stores the information of all reach boxes for the bingo hand into the RAM 510A. When this process ends, the process moves to the step S253.

The step S253 makes a determination as to whether the specific bingo box is activated to thereby establish the poker hand or not. In this process, the CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314 determines the combination of: the indicias configuring the bingo card displayed on the display device 370A which informations are stored in the RAM 510A (see FIG. 16); the information about the positions of the bingo boxes assigned with the indicias; and the activation flags corresponding to the indicias. Thus, the CPU 506A determines whether or not the situation is that the bingo hand can be established on the specific line of the bingo card when the specific bingo box is activated. When this determination is YES, the process moves to a step S254, and when NO, the present sub-routine is put to an immediate end and the process moves to the step S226 of FIG. 23.

The step 254 turns on a reach-poker state flag and stores the information of all reach boxes for the poker hand into the RAM. The CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314 turns on the reach-poker state flag allocated to the RAM 510A (see FIG. 16). Furthermore, the CPU 506A stores the information of all reach boxes for the poker hand into the RAM 510A. When this process ends, the present sub-routine is put to an end and the process moves to the step S226 of FIG. 23.

Detail of Reach Box Notification Start Process

The detail of a reach box notification start process will be described with reference to FIG. 27.

A step S261 makes a determination as to whether any reach box is present or not. The CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314 determines whether at least one of the reach-bingo state flag and the reach-poker state flag that are stored into the RAM 510A (see FIG. 16) at the steps S252 and/or S254 of FIG. 26 is on or not. When this determination is YES, the process moves to a step S262, and when NO, the present sub-routine is put an immediate end and the process moves to the step S228 of FIG. 23.

The step 262 performs the process of starting to display all the reach boxes distinguishably at one time in the entire condition notification unit. By control of the main control circuit 500A (see FIG. 16) of the gaming terminal 314, the display controller 600A is driven to start displaying all the reach boxes, which are stored into the RAM 510A (see FIG. 16) at the steps S252 and/or S254 of FIG. 26, in the entire condition notification unit 483 displayed on the display device 370A. When this process ends, the process moves to a step S263.

The step S263 performs the process of starting to individually distinguishably display all the reach boxes repeatedly in turn. By control of the main control circuit 500A (see FIG. 16) of the gaming terminal 314, the display controller 600A is driven to start to individually distinguishably display all the reach boxes, which are stored in the RAM 510A (see FIG. 16) at the step 252 and/or the step 254 of FIG. 26, repeatedly in turn on the bingo card displayed on the display device 370A. This display situation is as described in the aforesaid description of the transition of the reach state individual display screen of the gaming terminal. Additionally, the reach box notification screen display started at the steps S262 and S263 continues until the step S201 of FIG. 22 is executed to initialize the gaming terminal 314. When this process ends, the present sub-routine is put to an end and the process moves to the step S228 of FIG. 23.

The step S263 in the reach box notification start process of FIG. 27 is executed, thereby enabling the gaming terminal 314 to individually distinguishably display all the reach boxes repeatedly in turn on the display device 370A thereof. That is, a gaming machine comprises: display means that displays a bingo card formed of a plurality of bingo boxes arranged in matrix form; indicia display data storage means that stores display data for displaying indicias including the combinations of different indicias; bingo card indicia determination means that selects from the indicias and determines bingo card indicias corresponding to the plurality of bingo boxes; lottery means that draws the indicias; activation means that activates bingo boxes corresponding to the bingo card indicias when the indicias drawn by the lottery means and the bingo card indicias match each other by comparison; and hand determination means that determines whether or not the combination of the bingo boxes activated by the activation means and inactivated specific bingo boxes can form a predetermined bingo hand, or whether or not the combination of the bingo card indicias corresponding to the bingo boxes activated by the activation means and the bingo card indicias corresponding to the inactivated specific bingo boxes can form a hand different from the predetermined bingo hand in a predetermined combination. In such a gaming machine, the reach box notification start process, particularly, the step S263 therein is an example showing the method of reach box notification in which the inactivated specific bingo boxes are sequentially individually displayed in response to the determination of the hand determination means.

Besides, the game preparation process executed by the CPU 406 at the step S100 of FIG. 22 will be described using FIG. 28.

At a step S301, the CPU 406 supplies a drive signal to the motor 345 of the open/close shutter 344, thereby executing the process of placing the open/close shutter 344 in the open state. Besides, the CPU 406 also stops the supply of the drive signal to the motor 345 of the ball delivery device 354. And, the open/close shutter 344 is placed in the closed state after the elapse of a predetermined time. Then, in order to make preparation for the next game, the CPU 406 executes the process of initializing the information about the preparation. Additionally, this information about the preparation is positioned in the RAM 510A, etc. When this process ends, the process moves to a step S302.

At the step S302, the CPU 406 supplies the drive signal of the motor 356 to thereby perform a motor drive start process of the ball delivery devices 354A and 354B, and then moves the process to a step S303. This process of the step S302 is performed prior to a cabinet inclination control process (step S304), thereby making it possible to collect the lottery balls earlier than the inclination of the collection path 350 together with the inclination of the cabinet, so that the preparation for the next game can be completed in a short time.

At the step S303, the CPU 406 supplies a drive signal to the lottery ball lifting motor 320C, thereby performing a drive start process of the lottery ball lifting motor 320C when this process ends, the process moves to the step S304.

At the step S304, the CPU 406 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed or not. The term “a predetermined time” here refers to a time long enough for the lottery balls to fall from the lottery holes 340, 341 and reach the collection path 350. In this process, the CPU 406 moves the process to a step S305 when determining that the predetermined time has elapsed. And, the CPU 406 moves the process again to the step S304 when not determining that the predetermined time has elapsed. Thereby, the CPU 406 executes the process at or after the step S305 only when the long enough time has elapsed from when the lottery balls fall from the lottery holes 340, 341 until they reach the collection path 350.

At the step S305, the CPU 406 supplies the rocking device 346 with a signal for inclining the cabinet 313 at a predetermined angle. This predetermined angle refers to the angle at which the stern 312B side becomes lower than the stem 312A side. Thereby, the rocking device 346 inclines the cabinet 313 so that the stern 312B side becomes lower than the stem 312A side. Subsequently, the CPU 406 supplies the open/close gate 352 with a signal indicative of the open state (step S306). Upon receipt of the signal indicative of the open state, the open/close gate 352 is placed in the open state. Accordingly, the stern 312B side becomes lower than the stem 312A side and, at the same time, the open/close gate 352 is placed in the open state, so that the lottery balls positioned in the collection path 350 roll toward the lower portion of the spiral body 320A. Such control makes it possible to collect the lottery balls by only inclining the cabinet and thus to manufacture the gaming machine in a simple fashion and at low cost. When this process ends, the process moves to a step S307.

At the step S307, the CPU 406 determines whether the predetermined number of lottery balls have passed through the open/close gate 352 in response to the predetermined signal supplied from the lottery ball passing detection sensor 351. When determining that the predetermined number of lottery balls have passed through the open/close gate 352, the CPU 406 supplies the open/close gate 352 with a signal indicative of the closed state (step S308). Upon receipt of the signal indicative of the closed state, the open/close gate 352 is placed in the closed state. On the contrary, when determining that the predetermined number of lottery balls have passed through the open/close gate 352, the CPU 406 moves the process again to the step S307. Accordingly, the lottery balls led out to the lower end of the spiral body 320A do not return to the collection path 350. Furthermore, the lottery balls held in the collection path 350 are prevented from being let out to the lower end of the spiral body 320A. Such control makes it possible to collect the lottery balls by only inclining the cabinet and thus to manufacture the gaming machine in a simple fashion and at low cost. When this process ends, the process moves to a step S309.

At the step S309, the CPU 406 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed or not. The term “a predetermined time” here refers to a time long enough that the predetermined number of lottery balls positioned in the collection path 350 are led out to the lower portion of the spiral body 320A and become ready to be conveyed by the screw conveyor 320 after the cabinet 313 is inclined at the predetermined angle and the open/close gate 352 is placed in the open state. In this process, the CPU 406 moves the process again to the step S309 when determining that the predetermined time has elapsed. And, the CPU 406 moves the process to a step S310 when not determining that the predetermined time has elapsed. Thereby, the CPU 406 executes the process at or after the step S305 only when the long enough time has elapsed from when the lottery balls fall from the lottery holes 340, 341 until they reach the collection path 350.

At the step S310, the CPU 406 supplies the rocking device 346 with a signal for inclining the cabinet 313 at a predetermined angle, thereby executing a cabinet inclination restraint control process. This predetermined angle refers to the angle at which the stern 312B side becomes horizontal to the stem 312A side. Thereby, the rocking device 346 performs the control of restraining the inclination of the cabinet 313 so that the stern 312B side becomes horizontal to the stem 312A side.

Subsequently, the CPU 406 stops the supply of the drive signal of the motor 356, thereby performing a motor drive end process of the ball delivery devices 354A and 354B (step S311). Still subsequently, the CPU 406 supplies a stop signal to the lottery ball lifting motor 320C, thereby executing a drive end process of the lottery ball lifting motor 320C (step S312). When this process ends, the present sub-routine is put to an end.

According to the invention, in the gaming machine that determines the game result based on the entrance of the lottery balls into the lottery holes, the ball delivery device disposed in the collection path for guiding the lottery balls of the lottery holes to the conveyance start position of the lifting device. Consequently, the lottery balls move at a high speed through the collection path, so that the lottery balls can be collected in a shorter time. Besides, even when there is an obstacle such as a minute convex or concave and a speck of dust, the lottery balls can be restrained from getting stuck there, so that the next game can be started smoothly. Furthermore, the ball delivery device delivers the lottery balls toward the conveyance start position, which can restrain the lottery balls from returning to the discharge path side.

According to the invention, the lottery balls discharged from the discharge path, immediately after entering the collection path, are delivered toward the conveyance start position of the lifting device. Accordingly, it becomes possible to accelerate the lottery balls at an early stage, so that the lottery balls can be collected in a shorter time. Besides, even when a large number of lottery balls are discharged from the discharge path for a short time, the lottery balls can be restrained from getting stuck in the collection path or the discharge path.

According to the invention, the collection path inclines together with the cabinet and moves the lottery balls thereinside. Such a collection path is provided with the ball delivery device for delivering the lottery balls more positively, thereby enabling an improvement in lottery ball collection time.

According to the invention, in the gaming machine that determines the game result based on the entrance of the lottery balls into the lottery holes, the ball delivery device disposed in the collection path for guiding the lottery balls of the lottery holes to the conveyance start position of the lifting device. The lottery balls are thus delivered more positively through the collection path, so that the lottery balls can be collected in a shorter time.

Additionally, the embodiments of the invention have been described, which merely illustrates specific examples and does not particularly limit the invention.

In the aforesaid embodiments, the ball delivery device is described as being disposed at the position of the collection path opposite the discharge path. However, the invention is not limited thereto. The ball delivery device may be disposed in a place other than this position. For example, the ball delivery device 354A including a motor 356, a ball delivery rod 357, and a ball delivery rod hole 358 may be disposed at the side of the collection path 350.

Besides, the ball delivery device is described as including the ball delivery rod that rotates in a vertical plane. However, the invention is not limited thereto. The ball delivery rod may rotate in a horizontal plane.

Besides, the collection path is described as being inclinably fixed to the cabinet. However, the invention is not limited thereto. The collection path need not incline as long as it has a gentle inclination.

Additionally, the advantages described in the embodiments of the invention are merely a listing of the most preferred advantages yielded from the invention. Thus, the advantages of the invention are not limited to the ones described in the embodiments of the invention. 

1. A gaming machine comprising: a lottery wheel having a plurality of lottery holes that accept balls thereinto; a game content determination device that, as the lottery balls enter any of the plural lottery holes, determines a game result based on the any plural lottery holes that has accepted the balls; a discharge path that is provided below the lottery wheel and that discharges the lottery balls accepted in each of the plurality of lottery holes; a lifting device that conveys the lottery balls to a position higher than the lottery wheel; and a collection path that guides the lottery balls discharged from the discharge path, to a conveyance start position of the lifting device, wherein the collection path includes a ball delivery device for delivering the lottery balls being collected, toward the conveyance start position of the lifting device.
 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the ball delivery device is disposed opposite to the collection path, and the collection path is disposed opposite to the discharge path.
 3. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the ball delivery device includes a motor, a ball delivery rod, and a ball delivery rod hole provided in the collection path; and the ball delivery rod and the ball delivery rod hole are provided the collection path.
 4. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the collection path is provided in an inclinable cabinet.
 5. The gaming machine according to claim 4, further comprising a rocking device for inclining the inclinable cabinet at a predetermined angle, wherein: the inclinable cabinet includes the lifting device and the ball delivery device; and the predetermined angle is an angle that one end where the lifting device is disposed becomes lower than the other end where the ball delivery device is disposed. 